Raja-rajehsvari (684)
She is Ishvari for Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra who are known as Rajas or kings. Kubhera, the god of wealth is also known as Raja-raja. Since She is worshipped by him, She is known as Rajarajeshvari. Shiva is known as Rajarajeshvara and His consort is Rajarajeshsvari.
Adi Shankara describes Rajarajeshvari in his ‘mantra matrka stavam’ as follows. “The one who has akshara ‘hrim’ as the last bija of each of three three kutas of Panchadasi mantra, the one who is fond of ‘samya’, a type of mental worship, the one who considers all beings as Her family and being worshiped through ‘hamsa’ (ajapa mantra) mantra in tantric way, the one who is in the form of compassion known as Kamakshi, the one who is known through the bija ‘shreem’ of Shodasi mantra (If shreem is added to Panchadasi mantra, this fifteen lettered mantra becomes sixteen lettered Shodasi mantra. But in application Shodasi mantra is recited in a different way. Please refer nama 587), the one who is in the form of three Gods, Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra and the one who derives immense happiness in Sri Chakra worship, I bow to this Rajarajeshvari.”
Rajya-dayini (685)
Namas 684 to 689 begin with ‘Raja’. Rajyadayini means the one who is the giver of right to live in territories like Vaikuntha (the abode of Vishnu) or Kailasa (the abode of Shiva). Since She is the administrator of the universe, the destinations of the souls are decided by Her. The souls with good karmic account rest in dominions like Vaikuntha and Kailasa. This does not mean that these souls will not be incarnated. They will be born again after the expiry of their good karmic account. This process is called ‘moksha’. Liberation of the soul is different, where the soul merges with the Brahman not to be reborn again. Liberation can be attained only if there is no balance in karmic account, either good or bad. If one has the worst karmic account, his soul reaches the hell and undergoes sufferings and born again. Please refer to our discussions on ‘karma and soul’ for further details.
Rajya-vallabha (686)
She is Rajarajesvari, the queen of queens and capable of administering the universe. Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Indra and other gods and goddesses live in Sri Chakra, the abode of Lalithambigai. It can be said that Rajya in these namas refer to Sri Chakra, where the entire gods and goddesses live. She is the ruler of Sri Chakra, the abode of all gods and goddesses. This nama is in confirmation of nama 684.
Rajat-krpa (687)
She is embodiment of radiating compassion, the primary quality of Sri Mata. Krpa means compassion.
Rajapeeta-niveshita-nijashrita (688)
She establishes Her devotees in thrones. It is said in Devi Mahatmiyam (XV.19-21) that She had offered thrones to those who had surrendered unto Her. By offering corporeal prosperities like thrones, She tests one’s will power to resist materialistic temptations. If one chooses to ignore such material gains, She gives them a place in Her domain. This is how gods and goddesses were offered places in Sri Chakra. Please refer to the quotation from Chandogya Upanishad in nama 693.
Rajayalakshmih (689)
Entire universe is Her Rajya or kingdom. Her kingdom has no territories, as the boundary of this universe is beyond human comprehension and infinite. She holds the entire wealth of this universe. This nama originates from Rajarajaeshvari (684) as only the Supreme authority can control the wealth of the universe.
Koshanatha (690)
‘Kosha’ means the wealth of a government. Since She is in total control of various ‘rajyas’ or governments, She is known as ‘koshanatha’.
Kosha also means sheaths of physical body. As per Vedanta philosophy, there are five superimposed layers covering the human soul. Nama 428 discussed about five koshas which means sheaths or layers or coverings. They are pranamaya kosha, manomaya kosha, vijnamaya kosha and anandamaya kosha. The self illuminating Atman inside our self is covered by these layers or coverings. She is in the form of That Atman. Further details of these koshas are available in the e-book ‘understanding our gross body’.
Chaturanga-baleshvari (691)
Chaturanga means four. She has the mighty army of cavalry, elephants, chariots and infantry. Internally, it means anthakkaranam (internal tools) consisting of mind, intellect, conscience (lower level of consciousness) and ego. Either way, She rules army (external) as well as anthakkaranam (internal). Anthakkaranam of a person is very powerful like an army and can wreck mayhem. Please use the search engine at the top of this site to know more about ‘anthakkaranam’.
Samrajya-dayini (692)
Nama 685 is Rajya-dayini and this nama is samrajya-dayini. Samrajya is higher than rajya. Rajya is rule by a king or queen and Samrajya is the combination of many rajyas or kingdoms, known as empire.
Assuming that kingdoms of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva as Rajyas, Her domain, encompassing these three worlds Brahma loka, Vaikuntha and Kailasa is Sri Chakra. She offers a place in Sri Chakra to those who worship Her with dedication. In Sri Chakra, between 9th and 10th forts, there are Siddhas (sages and saints) reside reciting verses in Her praise. Therefore Samrajya means Sri Chakra.
There is a yajna called ‘Rajasuya yajna’. This yajna is performed only be emperors and great rulers. The one who performed this yajna is called ‘samrat’. She is the bestower of samrat as without Her grace Rajasuya yajna is not possible.
Taittiriya Upanishad (I.vi.2) says ‘apnoti svarjyam’ which means ‘realising his identity with the Brahman’. Samrajya is possible for those who have established their identities with the Brahman. They are known as Self-realized persons.
Sathyasandha (693)
She has determination towards truth therefore She determines everything based on truth only. This nama talks about the importance of Truth in Her administration. The vows made by Her cannot be defeated by any other force in this universe. She makes vow to sustain this universe as Sri Mata.
Chandogya Upanishad (VIII.i.5) says “satyakamah” meaning love of Truth and “satysankalpah” which means committed to Truth. The Upanishad says ‘It is the cause of love of Truth and the cause of dedication to Truth. If a person strictly follows whatever the ruler of a country commands, he may then get as a reward some land, or even an estate.’
Srimad Bhagavata (X.iii.25) says ‘We seek shelter in you....prompter of truthful speech as well as undifferentiating vision consisting of Truth, which is the highest means of attaining you.’
Vishnu Sahasranamam 510 is also ‘sathya-sandha’. This nama gives extreme importance to Truth.
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